Audio adaptor and method

ABSTRACT

An audio adaptor and method of communication is provided. The audio adaptor includes a first connector for connecting to a source of audio, a second connector for connecting to a telephone, a third connector for connecting to an audio output device, and a microcontroller. The method involves receiving a first audio signal at a line level from the source of audio, receiving a second audio signal at the line level from a telephone, transmitting the first audio signal and the second audio signal at the line level to an audio output device, attenuating the first audio signal from the line level to a microphone level and transmitting the attenuated first audio signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/953,170 filed Nov. 27, 2015 which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application 62/191,739, filed Jul. 13, 2015, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present specification relates generally to audio adaptors and morespecifically relates to audio adaptors connectable to a telephone.

BACKGROUND

People who have impairments that affect their ability to speak haveaccess to assistive text-to-speech devices. More recently, generictablet computers can now use various applications to emulate atext-to-speech device. Such devices enable the person with a speechimpairment to enter text in various ways and then have the textconverted into speech. Text-to-speech devices are quite useful forface-to-face conversations; however, telephone conversations present achallenge. For example, in order for a person to listen to a remoteparty of the phone conversation and use the text-to-speech device, thetext-to-speech device and phone would need to be positioned close toeach other. This generally requires the use of at least one hand leavingonly one other hand available to operate the text-to-speech device.Alternatively, the telephone can be operated in speaker mode to freeboth hands; however, this is not practical in some situations, such aswhen privacy is desired or in noisy environments.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided anaudio adaptor. The audio adaptor includes a first connector forconnecting to a source of audio. The first connector is configured toreceive a first audio signal at a line level from the source of audio.The audio adaptor also includes a second connector for connecting to atelephone. The second connector is configured to receive, from thetelephone, a second audio signal at the line level from the telephone.The second connector is further configured to transmit, to thetelephone, the first audio signal at a microphone level. The audioadaptor further includes a third connector for connecting to an audiooutput device. The third connector is configured to transmit the firstaudio signal and the second audio signal at the line level to the audiooutput device. Furthermore, the audio adaptor includes an attenuatorconnected to the first connector and the second connector. Theattenuator is for attenuating the first audio signal from the line levelto the microphone level.

The attenuator may include a voltage reducer to reduce a voltage of thefirst audio signal.

The audio adaptor may further include a mixer in communication with thefirst connector, the second connector and the third connector. The mixermay be configured to combine the first audio signal received from thefirst connector and the second audio signal received from the secondconnector to generate a combined audio signal for output to the thirdconnector.

The audio adaptor may further include an amplifier configured to amplifythe combined audio signal.

The third connector may be configured to connect to headphones.

The third connector may be configured to provide stereo output to theheadphones.

A first channel of the stereo output may be configured to output thefirst audio signal and a second channel of the stereo output isconfigured to output the second audio signal.

The second connector may be a four-conductor connector.

The first connector may be configured to connect to a text-to-speechdevice.

The text-to-speech device may be a tablet computer.

The audio adaptor may include a digital-signal processor for receiving adigital signal from the first connector.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided amethod of communication. The method involves receiving a first audiosignal at a line level from the source of audio via a first connectorconnected to the source of audio. The method also involves receiving asecond audio signal at the line level from a telephone via a secondconnector connected to the telephone. The method further involvestransmitting the first audio signal and the second audio signal at theline level to an audio output device via a third connector. In addition,the method involves attenuating the first audio signal from the linelevel to a microphone level using an attenuator connected to the firstconnector and the second connector. Furthermore, the method involvestransmitting the first audio signal at the microphone level to thetelephone.

Attenuating may involve reducing a voltage of the first audio signal.

The method may further involve combining the first audio signal receivedfrom the first connector and the second audio signal received from thesecond connector to generate a combined audio signal for output to thethird connector.

The method may further involve amplifying the combined audio signal.

The method may further involve connecting the third connector toheadphones.

The method may further involve providing stereo output to theheadphones.

Transmitting the first audio signal and the second audio signal mayinvolve outputting the first audio signal to a first channel of thestereo output and outputting the second audio signal to a second channelof the stereo output.

The method may further involve connecting the first connector to atext-to-speech device.

Receiving the first audio signal may involve receiving a digital signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a communication system inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an audio adaptor in accordancewith the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method of communication in accordance withan embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an audio adaptor in accordancewith another embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of an audio adaptor in accordancewith another embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a communication system in accordance withan embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a communication system in accordance withanother embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of a communication system in accordance withan another embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of a communication system in accordance withan another embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of a communication system in accordancewith an another embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of an audio adaptor in accordancewith another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic representation of a communicationsystem for a person with a speech impairment is generally shown at 40.It is to be understood that the communication system 40 is purelyexemplary and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that avariety of communication systems are contemplated. The communicationsystem 40 includes an audio adaptor 50, a text-to-speech device 100, atelephone 104, and an audio output device 108. The audio adaptor 50includes a plurality of connectors 54, 58, and 62 for connecting thetext-to-speech device 100, the telephone 104, and the audio outputdevice 108, respectively. The person with a speech impairment can usethe telephone 104 to establish a communication link with a remote party.After establishing the link, the person with a speech impairment can usethe text-to-speech device 100 to provide input for communicating to theremote party via the audio adaptor 50. Audio output received from theremote party via the telephone 104 and audio output based on the inputreceived at the text-to-speech device 100 is directed by the audioadaptor 50 to the audio output device 108.

The text-to-speech device 100 is generally configured to convert textinput to speech audio output. It is to be appreciated that, in general,the text-to-speech device 100 includes a processor for executingprogramming instructions in the form of codes stored on a computerreadable medium. In the present embodiment, the text-to-speech device100 is configured to receive input from a touch screen or physicalkeyboard representing text. The processor subsequently converts the textinput into audio output. The audio output can be subsequently convertedinto sounds using a speaker at the text-to-speech device 100 and/or intoaudio signals for transmission from an output port. In the presentembodiment, the text-to-speech device 100 converts text to an audiosignal at a line level for output from a 3.5 mm socket. It is to beappreciated by a person of skill in the art with the benefit of thisdescription that the level of output and the type of connector is notparticularly limited. For example, the audio signal can be generated athigher or lower levels than the typical line level for consumer audiodevices. The 3.5 mm socket can also be substituted with another suitableconnector such as a 2.5 mm socket, a 6.35 mm socket or any other type ofconnector capable of transmitting an audio signal. It is also to beappreciated that the text-to-speech device 100 is not particularlylimited. For example, the text-to-speech device 100 can be a dedicatedmachine specifically designed for a person with a speech impairment. Asanother example, the text-to-speech device 100 can be a generalcomputing device, such as any one of a personal computer, a laptopcomputer, a portable electronic device, a gaming device, a mobilecomputing device, a portable computing device, a tablet computingdevice, a personal digital assistant, a cell phone, a smartphone or thelike, having an application configured to perform the function ofconverting text input to speech output.

The telephone 104 is generally configured to establish a communicationlink with a remote party for engaging in a voice communication session.It is to be appreciated by a person of skill in the art with the benefitof this description that the telephone 104 is not particularly limitedand can be modified to include any type of voice communication device.For example, the telephone 104 can be a conventional telephone, acellular telephone, a smartphone, or a computing device connected to aplain old telephone service (POTS). Alternatively, the telephone 104 canbe a computing device capable of VoIP communication or a radio device.In the present embodiment, the telephone 104 is generally configured toreceive audio input and provide audio output using a 3.5 mm socketcapable of connecting to a TRRS connector (i.e. a four-conductorconnector). The telephone 104 is configured to receive the audio inputat a microphone level and provide the audio output at a line level. Itis to be appreciated by a person of skill in the art with the benefit ofthis description that the level of output and input is not particularlylimited. For example, the audio signal of the output can be generated athigher or lower levels than the typical line level for consumer audiodevices. Similarly, the telephone 104 can be configured to receive audiosignals at higher or lower levels than the typical microphone level. Inaddition, the type of connector for receiving input and providing outputat the telephone 104 is not particularly limited. The 3.5 mm socket canbe substituted with another suitable connector such as a 2.5 mm socket,a 6.35 mm socket or any other type of connector capable of transmittingand receiving audio signals. Another example of a substitution caninclude using a TRS connector (i.e. a three-conductor connector) totransmit audio signals to the audio adaptor and an additional connector(not shown) for receiving audio signals from the audio adaptor 50.Furthermore, the connector 58 capable of transmitting and receiving anaudio signal can be separated into two or more connectors, such as atleast one for transmitting and at least another for receiving audiosignals.

The audio output device 108 is generally configured to provide audiooutput based on an audio signal. It is to be appreciated by a person ofskill in the art with the benefit of this description that the audiooutput device 108 is not particularly limited and can be modified toinclude any device capable of providing audio output. For example, theaudio output device can be a headphone, earbuds, or a speaker system. Inthe present embodiment, the audio output device 108 is a pair ofheadphones capable of providing stereophonic audio output privately tothe person with a speech impairment. However, in other embodiments, theaudio output device 108 can be modified to provide monophonic audio to asingle ear or to both ears of the person with a speech impairment.

Referring to FIG. 2, a schematic block diagram of showing variouscomponents of the audio adaptor 50 is illustrated. It is to beunderstood that the audio adaptor 50 is purely exemplary and it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that a variety of audio adaptorsare contemplated including other embodiments discussed in greater detailbelow. The audio adaptor 50 includes the plurality of connectors 54, 58,and 62, and an attenuator 66 in connection with at least the connectors54 and 58.

The connector 54 is generally configured to connect to a source of audioand receive an audio signal. In the present embodiment, the connector 54is configured to connect to the text-to-speech device 100 and receive anaudio signal at a line level typical of general consumer devices. Inparticular, the connector 54 can be a 3.5 mm socket configured toreceive a 3.5 mm plug for receiving audio signals at the line levelhaving nominal values of about 0 dBV (1.000 volt). It is to beappreciated that in other embodiments, the connector can be aprofessional XLR connector.

The connector 58 is generally configured to connect to a communicationdevice for communicating with a remote party. In the present embodiment,the connector 58 is configured to connect to the telephone 104 and totransmit and receive audio signals from an audio communication session.In particular, the connector 58 can be a 3.5 mm socket configured toreceive a 3.5 mm TRRS connector plug configured to transmit an audiosignal to the telephone 104 at a microphone level having nominal valuesof about −60 dBV (0.001 volt) to −40 dBV (0.010 volt). However, it is tobe appreciated by a person of skill with the benefit of this descriptionthat variations of the microphone level are possible.

In the present embodiment, the connector 58 is also configured toreceive an audio signal at the line level from the telephone 104 havingnominal values of about 0 dBV (1.000 volt). It is to be appreciated thatvariations of the connector 58 are contemplated. For example, instead ofusing a single TRRS connector, the connector 58 can be modified toinclude two separate sockets or lines, where one line is configured totransmit an audio signal to the telephone 104 and the other line isconfigured to receive an audio signal from the telephone 104. As anotherexample, the connector 58 can be modified to accommodate a TRRSconnector plug (i.e. a four-conductor connector) to receive stereophonicaudio signals from the telephone 104.

The connector 62 is generally configured to connect to the audio outputdevice 108. The connector 62 is in communication with both the connector54 and the connector 58. In the present embodiment, the connector 62 isconfigured to transmit the audio signals received at the connectors 54and 58 and to direct the audio signals to the audio output device 108.In the present embodiment, the audio signals received at the connectors54 and 58 from the text-to-speech device 100 and the telephone 104,respectively, are directly passed through to the connector 62 withoutany processing. Accordingly, the audio signals from the connectors 54and 58 are transmitted to the audio output device 108 in two separatechannels from the connector 62 in the present embodiment. It is to beappreciated with the benefit of this description that since the audiosignals from the connectors 54 and 58 are received at the line level inthe present embodiment, the transmitted audio signals from the connector62 to the audio output device 108 is also at the line level.

The attenuator 66 is in communication with both the connector 54 and theconnector 58. The attenuator is generally configured to receive an audiosignal from the connector 54, attenuate the signal and provide theattenuated signal to the connector 58 for transmitting to the telephone104. In the present embodiment, the attenuator is configured toattenuate the signal received from the text-to-speech device 100 at theline level to a microphone level for transmitting to the telephone 104.The manner by which the audio signal is attenuated is not particularlylimited and the attenuator 66 can be a simple voltage reducer, such as aresistor, for reducing the overall voltage of an audio signal. In thepresent embodiment, line level having nominal values of about 0 dBV(1.000 volt) is attenuated to microphone level having nominal values of−60 dBV (0.001 volt) to −40 dBV (0.010 volt). It is to be appreciatedthat the signal strength of the audio signal at the connector 54 and theconnector 58 is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, theattenuator 66 is configured to accommodate the audio signals generallyproduced by the text-to-speech device 100 at the line level and thetelephone 104 that is typically configured to receive signals from amicrophone for processing at a preamp. Accordingly, a person of skillwould recognize that directly supplying the audio signal from thetext-to-speech device 100 at the line level to the input of thetelephone 104 would overload the input circuitry. In other embodimentswhere the input of the telephone 104 is capable of receiving audiosignals at the line level, the attenuator 66 can be omitted and theaudio signal received at the connector 54 can be directly passed to theconnector 58. In further embodiments still, the attenuator 66 can besubstituted with an amplifier for embodiments where the input of thetelephone 104 is configured to receive stronger audio signals.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a flowchart depicting a method of communicatingwith a remote party is indicated generally at 500. In order to assist inthe explanation of the method, it will be assumed that method 500 iscarried out using communication system 40 as shown in FIG. 1.Furthermore, the following discussion of method 500 will lead to furtherunderstanding of the audio adaptor 50 and its various components. Forconvenience, various process blocks of method 500 are indicated in FIG.3 as occurring within or between certain components of the communicationsystem 40. Such indications are not to be construed in a limiting sense.It is to be understood, however, that communication system 40 and/ormethod 500 can be varied, and need not work as discussed herein inconjunction with each other, and the blocks in method 500 need not beperformed in the order as shown. For example, various blocks can beperformed in parallel rather than in sequence. Such variations arewithin the scope of the present invention. Such variations also apply toother methods and system diagrams discussed herein.

Block 510 comprises receiving an audio signal from a source at the audioadaptor 50. In the present embodiment, the source is the text-to-speechdevice 100 and the audio signal received corresponds to the audio outputgenerated by the text-to-speech device 100 upon entry of a text stringby the person with a speech impairment. It is to be appreciated with thebenefit of this description that the audio signal is not particularlylimited and can include various types of signals capable of transmittingaudio output. In the present embodiment, the audio signal is an analogsignal at the line level received by the connector 54 as discussedabove. In other embodiments, the audio signal can be transmitted atanother level or can be modified to be a digital signal for processingby a digital signal processor.

Block 520 comprises attenuating the audio signal received at theconnector 54. It is to be appreciated that the manner by which the audiosignal is attenuated is not particularly limited and that variations arecontemplated. For example, the attenuation can be carried out using asimple passive attenuator comprising a resistor. In the presentembodiment, the audio signal is attenuated from the line level to themicrophone level to be compatible with a microphone input of thetelephone 104.

Block 530 comprises transmitting the attenuated audio signal generatedat block 520 to the telephone 104 via the connector 58 for subsequenttransmission to the remote party. It is to be appreciated that themanner by which the attenuated audio signal is transmitted is notparticularly limited. In the present embodiment, the attenuated audiosignal is transmitted at the microphone level to be compatible with themicrophone input of the telephone 104. In other embodiments, the audiosignal can be transmitted at another level or can be modified to be adigital signal.

Block 540 comprises transmitting the audio signals received from thetext-to-speech device 100 and the telephone 104 at the connectors 54 and58, respectively, to the audio output device 108. It is to beappreciated that the manner by which the audio signals are transmittedis not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, the audiosignals are transmitted in separate channels at the line level toprovide stereo output to the audio output device 108. It is to beappreciated by a person of skill in the art with the benefit of thisdescription that by transmitting the audio signal from thetext-to-speech device 100 and the telephone 104 to the audio outputdevice 108, it can allow a person using the audio output device 108 toreadily recognize what the text-to-speech device 100 is generating fromwhat a remote party may be saying as received from the telephone 104.For example, the audio signal from the text-to-speech device 100 can besent to the left channel of a pair of headphones while the audio signalfrom the telephone 104 can be sent to the right channel. In otherembodiments, the audio signals can be transmitted at other levels,combined for transmission, or modified to be a digital signal.

It is to be re-emphasized that the method 500 described above is anon-limiting representation. For example, it is to be appreciated by aperson of skill in the art that blocks 530 and 540 are generally carriedout independently and can occur simultaneously or in reverse order.Furthermore, as discussed above, block 520 can be optional and omittedfor embodiments where the audio signal does not necessarily need to beattenuated such as in embodiments of the communication system 40 wherethe telephone 104 can accept an audio signal at the line level or thetext-to-speech device 100 is configured to generate output at themicrophone level.

Referring to FIG. 4, another embodiment of an audio adaptor is indicatedgenerally at 50 a. Like components of the audio adaptor 50 a bear likereference to their counterparts in the audio adaptor 50, except followedby the suffix “a”. The audio adaptor 50 a includes the plurality ofconnectors 54 a, 58 a, and 62 a, and an attenuator 66 a in connectionwith at least the connectors 54 a and 58 a.

In the present embodiment, the audio adaptor 50 a further includes amixer 70 a in communication with the connectors 54 a, 58 a, and 62 a.The mixer 70 a is generally configured to combine the audio signalsreceived from the text-to-speech device 100 via the connector 54 a andthe telephone 104 via the connector 58 a. The combined audio signalsubsequently outputted to via the connector 62 a to the audio outputdevice 108. It is to be appreciated by a person of skill having thebenefit of this description that the manner by which the audio signalsare combined is not particularly limited. For example, in the presentembodiment a passive 4×1 kΩ mixer is used to combine the two audiosignals into a single monophonic audio signal. It is to be appreciatedby a person of skill in the art with the benefit of this descriptionthat any other type of mixer that can reliably combine the two audiosignals into either a single monophonic signal or stereo signal ofsufficient signal to noise ratio to maintain a conversation can be used.

Referring to FIG. 5, another embodiment of an audio adaptor is indicatedgenerally at 50 b. Like components of the audio adaptor 50 b bear likereference to their counterparts in the audio adaptor 50 a, exceptfollowed by the suffix “b”. The audio adaptor 50 b includes theplurality of connectors 54 b, 58 b, and 62 b, an attenuator 66 b inconnection with at least the connectors 54 b and 58 b, and a mixer 70 b.

In the present embodiment, the audio adaptor 50 b further includes anamplifier 74 b for amplifying the combined signal from the mixer 70 bbefore sending the audio signal to the connector 62 b for output. It isto be appreciated by a person of skill having the benefit of thisdescription that the manner by which the audio signal is amplified isnot particularly limited. In the present example, the amplifier 74 b canbe a low power audio amplifier such as the LM386 from TEXAS INSTRUMENTS.It is to be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that otherembodiments can use other amplifies such as amplifiers from ADVANCEDANALOG CIRCUITS (e.g. the AZ386), or those from STMICROELECTRONICS (e.g.the A21SP16).

Referring to FIG. 6, a circuit diagram of a communication system for aperson with a speech impairment using the audio adaptor 50 b isgenerally shown. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, it is to beappreciated by a person of skill having the benefit of this descriptionthat this would be a simple design providing the functionality ofestablishing a voice communication with a remote party while allowingthe person with a speech impairment to participate. In particular, theoutput generated at the audio output device 108 is monophonic and doesnot provide any additional amplification.

Referring to FIG. 7, a circuit diagram of a communication system for aperson with a speech impairment using another implementation of theaudio adaptor 50 b is generally shown. In particular, it is to beappreciated by a person of skill with the benefit of this descriptionthat this implementation provides an amplification gain of about 200 tothe audio signal received from the mixer 70 b to the connector 62 b.

Referring to FIG. 8, a circuit diagram of a communication system for aperson with a speech impairment using another implementation of theaudio adaptor 50 b is generally shown. In particular, it is to beappreciated by a person of skill with the benefit of this descriptionthat this implementation provides an amplification gain of about 50 tothe audio signal from the mixer 70 b to the connector 62 b.

Referring to FIG. 9, a circuit diagram of a communication system for aperson with a speech impairment using another implementation of theaudio adaptor 50 b is generally shown. In particular, it is to beappreciated by a person of skill with the benefit of this descriptionthat this implementation provides a bass boost to the audio signal fromthe mixer 70 b to the connector 62 b for improved sound quality at theaudio output device 108 at lower frequencies. It is to be appreciated bya person of skill in the art with the benefit of this description thatbass boost can be adjustable in some embodiments to allow for manual orautomatic adjustment of the sound quality based on the audio signal.

Referring to FIG. 10, a circuit diagram of a communication system for aperson with a speech impairment in accordance with another embodiment isgenerally shown. It is to be appreciated that in the present embodiment,a variation of the audio adaptor 50 b is used that can providestereophonic sound received from each of the text-to-speech device 100and the telephone 104 and provided to the audio output device 108.

Referring to FIG. 11, another embodiment of an audio adaptor isindicated generally at 50 c. Like components of the audio adaptor 50 cbear like reference to their counterparts in the audio adaptor 50 b,except followed by the suffix “c”. The audio adaptor 50 c includes theplurality of connectors 54 c, 58 c, and 62 c, and an amplifier 74 c.

In the present embodiment, the audio adaptor 50 c includes amicrocontroller 52 c for controlling the signals to and from theplurality of connectors 54 c, 58 c, and 62 c. In the present embodiment,the microcontroller 52 c is a PIC18F46K80; however, it is to beappreciated that in other embodiments, other types of microcontrollerscan be used. The microcontroller 52 c includes a microprocessor 200, aninput 205 c, a power source 210 and a display 215.

The microprocessor 200 is not particularly limited and is generallyconfigured to carry out instructions for receiving an audio signal viathe connector 54 c and re-generating output at the connectors 58 c and62 c for subsequent transmission to external devices such as a telephoneand/or an audio output device. It is to be appreciated by a person ofskill in the art with the benefit of this description that themicroprocessor 200 can also act as a mixer to combine one or moreoutputs digitally for output via the connector 62 c or any otherconnector. In the present embodiment, the microprocessor 200 isconfigured to process a digital audio signal received from an analog todigital converter (not shown). The microprocessor 200 is also configuredto receive input data from the input 205 to control signal processing.For example, the microprocessor can control the volume of there-generated output signals at the connectors 58 c and 62 c digitally.In the present embodiment, the volume control is a digital, logarithmicpotentiometer allowing volume increase or decrease with push buttoncontrol (not shown) from the input 205. The push buttons are used toincrease or decrease the amplitude of the signal received at theconnector 54 c before being processed by the microprocessor 200.

The input 205 is generally configured to provide input data the to themicroprocessor 200. The input data received via the input 205 is notparticularly limited and can include data for controlling the operationof the microcontroller 52 c, such as a command to increase or decreasevolume at one or both of the connectors 58 c and 62 c. The input 205 canalso be a communications port for receiving instructions to control themicroprocessor.

The power source 210 is generally configured to power themicrocontroller 52 c. The power source 210 is not particularly limitedand can include a battery, such as a lithium ion battery, or adisposable battery for improved portability of the audio adapter 50 c.In some embodiments, the power source 210 can be a connector configuredto receive an AC or DC current.

The display 215 is generally configured to provide output a user toindicate a status of the audio adapter 50 c. For example, the display215 can include an LCD screen or an indicator LED. The display 215 canbe used to indicate whether the audio adaptor 50 c is powered on, or lowon battery. In addition, the display 215 can also be used to indicate avolume level.

It is to be re-emphasized that the structures described herein are anon-limiting representation only. In particular, it is to be understoodthat various features of the embodiments described herein can becombined or modified. For example, it is to be appreciated by a personof skill in the art with the benefit of this description variousmodifications to the audio signals received from the text-to-speechdevice 100 and the telephone 104 can be carried out. For example, FIG. 9provided a bass boost, but other modifications and filters can be usedto improve sound quality such as reducing ambient background noise ormatching the volumes of the text-to-speech device 100 and the telephone104 when one is louder than the other.

As another example of a variation, it is to be appreciated that theaudio adaptor 50 can be directly built into one of the text-to-speechdevice 100, the telephone 104, or the audio output device 108 or sold asan additional add-on component or aftermarket part. In such a variation,it may be possible to omit one or more of the connectors 54, 58, or 62,if the audio adaptor 50 were to be designed on the same circuitrycontrolling one of the text-to-speech device 100, the telephone 104, orthe audio output device 108.

As another example of a variation, it is to be appreciated that althoughthe embodiments shown above use analog connections between thetext-to-speech device 100, the telephone 104, and the audio outputdevice 108, it is contemplated that the audio adaptor can be modified toaccommodate wireless connections, such as BLUETOOTH, between one or moreof the text-to-speech device 100, the telephone 104, or the audio outputdevice 108.

Various advantages will now be apparent to a person of skill in the art.Of note is the ability for a person with a speech impairment to engagein a voice communication with a remote party while being able to listento and monitor the audio output from a text-to-speech device 100operated by the person while also listening to the audio from the remoteparty. Furthermore, the audio adaptor 50 allows for the use of personalheadphones or earbuds so that a conversation can be carried on inrelative privacy, even in a public place.

While specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, suchembodiments should be considered illustrative only and should not serveto limit the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An audio adaptor comprising: a first connectorfor connecting to a source of audio, the first connector configured toreceive a first audio signal at a line level from the source of audio; asecond connector for connecting to a telephone, the second connectorconfigured to receive, from the telephone, a second audio signal at theline level from the telephone and to transmit, to the telephone, thefirst audio signal at a microphone level; a third connector forconnecting to an audio output device, the third connector configured totransmit the first audio signal and the second audio signal at the linelevel to the audio output device; and a microcontroller connected to thefirst connector and the second connector, the microcontroller fortransmitting the first audio signal via the second connector at themicrophone level.
 2. The audio adaptor of claim 1, wherein themicrocontroller comprises a microprocessor to re-generate the firstaudio signal at a reduced voltage.
 3. The audio adaptor of claim 2,wherein the microprocessor combines the first audio signal received fromthe first connector and the second audio signal received from the secondconnector to generate a combined audio signal for output to the thirdconnector.
 4. The audio adaptor of claim 3, further comprising anamplifier configured to amplify the combined audio signal.
 5. The audioadaptor of claim 1, wherein the third connector is configured to connectto headphones.
 6. The audio adaptor of claim 5, wherein the thirdconnector is configured to provide stereo output to the headphones. 7.The audio adaptor of claim 6, wherein a first channel of the stereooutput is configured to output the first audio signal and a secondchannel of the stereo output is configured to output the second audiosignal.
 8. The audio adaptor of claim 1, wherein the second connector isa four-conductor connector.
 9. The audio adaptor of claim 1, wherein thefirst connector is configured to connect to a text-to-speech device. 10.The audio adaptor of claim 9, wherein the text-to-speech device is atablet computer.
 11. The audio adaptor of claim 1, further comprising adigital-signal processor for receiving a digital signal from the firstconnector.
 12. A method of communication, the method comprising:receiving a first audio signal at a line level from a source of audiovia a first connector connected to the source of audio; receiving asecond audio signal at the line level from a telephone via a secondconnector connected to the telephone; transmitting the first audiosignal and the second audio signal at the line level to an audio outputdevice via a third connector; re-generating the first audio signal at amicrophone level using a microprocessor connected to the first connectorand the second connector; and transmitting the first audio signal at themicrophone level to the telephone.
 13. The method of claim 12, whereinre-generating comprises re-generating the first audio signal at areduced voltage of the first audio signal.
 14. The method of claim 12,further comprising combining the first audio signal received from thefirst connector and the second audio signal received from the secondconnector to generate a combined audio signal for output to the thirdconnector.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising amplifying thecombined audio signal.
 16. The method of claim 12, further comprisingconnecting the third connector to headphones.
 17. The method of claim16, further comprising providing stereo output to the headphones. 18.The method of claim 17, wherein transmitting the first audio signal andthe second audio signal comprises outputting the first audio signal to afirst channel of the stereo output and outputting the second audiosignal to a second channel of the stereo output.
 19. The method of claim12, further comprising connecting the first connector to atext-to-speech device.
 20. The method of claim 12, wherein receiving thefirst audio signal comprises receiving a digital signal.